A Blog For Those Getting Used To Life With A Stoma

10 Things We Should Learn To Appreciate Before We Grow Old

This blog post is a little different to the things I normally write but I thought it was something important for us all. I think it’s important that we acknowledge these ten points and ask ourselves the question – are we appreciating enough?

1. Family – Family are always there for you no matter what. Whether blood related or not. In some cases, the people you class as family aren’t even biologically connected to you. But they are the people you go to when you’re in a time of need. They’re the people that don’t judge you, that support you even when they don’t agree with your decision. Always appreciate them, always return the love, don’t take them for granted.

2. Friends – As you’ll grow older, you’ll find that the friendship group you built in school is gradually becoming smaller and smaller. Eventually, you’ll be able to count your true friends on one hand. They’re the people that have stuck around no matter how you’ve spoken to them at one point, no matter what partner you ended up with that maybe they disliked from the beginning. They’re the people that don’t tell you “i told you so” when you’ve had your heart broken, but become a shoulder to lean on. Always remember that they’ve been there through thick and thin – don’t be too quick to disappear into a new crowd of people.

3. Love – love is shown in a number of different ways. Love is something that they say conquers all, but can make you feel about 2cm small at the same time. Love is the emotion that brings out your best and your worst side. It is the thing that helps you find yourself, whether that be through a positive or negative journey. Love is the thing that gives you strength and courage to make hard decisions, whilst giving you the most unforgettable memories. Always, always love. No matter what anyone says. No matter who or what it is you love. Experience it, and go after what you want. Don’t grow to regret not taking the risk.

4. Experiences – whether good or bad, experiences are the things that end up in the family photo album. That make you laugh or cry. That can fill you with a hundred emotions. Experiences are great stories that you live to tell. Appreciate every experience you stumble upon, now matter how you got there.

5. Freedom – growing up is a learning experience. You’re free to do as you please to find out what it is you want to spend the rest of your life doing. Don’t take your freedom for granted. And don’t spend that time doing something that doesn’t make you happy. Fulfill every aspiration you aim for.

6. Opportunity – don’t ever disregard an opportunity for someone else’s happiness. If it’s what you want, go for it. Stop thinking about others for a second and focus on where these opportunities can take you and if they can enhance your lifestyle and happiness. Never say no to an opportunity – because you never know where it’ll take you.

7. Health – don’t take your health for granted. Live an active, healthy life style. Treating your body right will enhance your way of life. It will leave you feeling content in your body. Feeling good in yourself will change your way of life. Being alert and fresh increases great mind stimulation.

8. Food – don’t spend your life saying “I can’t eat that, I need to lose weight”. You only live once! Don’t deprive yourself of foods you crave. A little something more calorific doesn’t hurt once in a while. Plus, the only person you need to impress is yourself! Who are you eating for?

9. Relationships – appreciate the person that makes you happy, and return the favour. Treat them how you wish to be treated. But also, don’t spend your life being miserable in a relationship that doesn’t make you feel complete. I saw a great quote the other day that said: “If you’re spending your days crying when in a relationship, ask yourself, am I dating a human or an onion?”

10. Yourself – This is the most important factor of all. You’re living your life in your body. You are you, and there’s no changing that. Don’t spend your days focusing on the flaws that are invisible to everyone else. Don’t compare yourself to others. Just be you. Be accepting. Grow old knowing you loved every part of you that you possibly could. What are you gaining from avoiding that?